College of Fine Arts School of Dance Undergraduate Handbook

Appendix L

Headset Etiquette

  1. Keep the microphone tucked slightly below your mouth so your breath won’t be audible
  1. If you are not using your microphone, turn it off.  You will still be able to hear.
  1. If you have to sneeze or cough, try to turn your mic off before doing so.
  1. ALWAYS turn the mic off before putting the headset on or off.  The noise that results otherwise is something like a herd of rhinoceros trampling through your head.
  1. NEVER eat or chew gum on headset.
  1. Different stage managers use slightly different terminology when calling a show, but cueing procedure is more or less standardized.  For example, a little bit before a cue is called, the SM will say something like, “Warning, electrics [or lights] 189.”  The light board operator would then respond, “Electrics.”  To actually make the cue happen, the SM would say, “Electrics 189…GO.”   After the cue is executed, the SM may or may not want you to let him or her know that it is complete.  NO ONE MUST EVER SAY “GO” UNLESS THEY ARE ACTUALLY CALLING A CUE.  As may be imagined, a slip of the tongue can cause mass chaos.
  1.  If you need to address the stage manager, LISTEN FIRST.  He or she may be in the middle of dealing with a problem that is more urgent than yours.  Interrupting a series of cues can be not only aesthetically displeasing, but also, in some cases, very dangerous.  Of course, use your discretion: a real emergency may need the stage manager’s immediate attention.
  1. Never go off headset without telling the SM and getting an okay from him/her.
  1. In general, use courtesy.  Just keep in mind that people are trying to think and work.